PPE to be procured locally: Chairman NDMA

Only products not available in local market will be imported, says Gen Afzal

ISLAMABAD: Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal on Wednesday said all personal protection equipment (PPE) – vital in the fight against COVID-19 – would now preferably be procured from the local market.

The decision was taken to support local businesses and manufacturing industries to curtail the economic crisis.



The chairman directed the procurement committee that maximum procurement of PPEs is to be made through local vendors 'except when the product of required quality and quantity is not available'.

"Only products not available in the local market according to required standards and quantity will be imported," he assured.

Lt Gen Afzal was informed that all PPE, except N-95 masks. is now being locally manufactured and is available in markets.



"Manufacturers who intend to produce N-95 will also be supported," NDMA chairman said and added that production of 100,000 N-95 masks will start by the end of April.

However, he stressed that the supply of PPEs, especially to doctors and paramedic staff, for their safety against the infectious virus, is of the top priority and therefore, quality and quantity of the PPE should not be compromised at any cost.